Access system and method for operating an access system

Abstract

An access system has a first communication unit arranged in an object and a second communication unit arranged in a key associated with the object, wherein the first communication unit is configured to broadcast a first request signal, the second communication unit is configured to receive the first request signal and, after receiving the first request signal, to send a first response signal to the first communication unit, wherein the first communication unit is further configured to send a request for a value to the second communication unit, and the second communication unit is configured to determine the value upon receipt of the request and to send the value to the first communication unit, wherein the value is an indicator of how high the probability is that the object is to be used by an authorized us.

1 . An access system having a first communication unit arranged in an object and a second communication unit arranged in a key associated with the object, wherein:
 the first communication unit is configured to broadcast a first request signal,   the second communication unit is configured to receive the first request signal and to send a first response signal to the first communication unit after receiving the first request signal,   the first communication unit is further configured to send a request for a value to the second communication unit,   the second communication unit is configured to determine the value upon receipt of the request and send it to the first communication unit, wherein the value is an indicator of how high the probability is that the object is to be used by an authorized user,   the object is configured to use the first response signal to check whether the key is a key associated with the object, and   the object is further configured to compare the value received from the second communication device with a defined threshold value, wherein   the object is unlocked when the key is recognized as being associated with the object and the value is greater than or equal to the threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The access system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit is configured to send the request for the value to the second communication unit when the key is recognized as being within a required range around the object. 
     
     
         3 . The access system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit is further configured to send a third request signal to the second communication unit when the value is less than the threshold, wherein the third request signal contains a request for a user's consent. 
     
     
         4 . The access system according to  claim 3 , wherein the second communication unit is further configured to send a third response signal to the first communication unit after receiving the third request signal, wherein the third response signal contains information about a decision by the user as to whether the object is to be unlocked, wherein the object is unlocked when the third response signal contains information that the user agrees to unlocking. 
     
     
         5 . The access system according to  claim 1 , wherein the key is a mobile phone with an application installed thereon, by means of which the mobile phone can act as a key for the object. 
     
     
         6 . The access system according to  claim 5 , wherein the mobile phone determines the value taking into account a plurality of different factors. 
     
     
         7 . The access system according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of different factors comprises one or more of the following:
 information about whether the mobile phone is being charged,   whether the mobile phone is moving,   whether the mobile phone is connected to a known Wi-Fi,   whether the Wi-Fi connections available to the mobile phone match at least in part with the Wi-Fi connections that are available for the object as well,   whether the mobile phone at least partially detects the same external devices in its proximity as the object,   whether a position intended for the mobile phone is in the proximity of a position intended for the object,   whether the request for the value occurs at a time when one of one or more authorized users typically uses or enters the object,   whether a distance determined by the mobile phone between the object and the mobile phone matches a certain distance between the object and the mobile phone determined by the object,   how long ago a directly preceding interaction between object and mobile phone occurred, and/or   whether a movement profile of the mobile phone matches a position change of the mobile phone determined by the object.   
     
     
         8 . The access system according to  claim 1 , wherein the object is a vehicle, a building, or a barrier. 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating an access system for an object, the method comprising:
 broadcasting a first request signal by means of a first communication unit arranged in the object,   receiving the first request signal by means of a second communication unit arranged in a key associated with the object and, after receiving the first request signal, broadcasting a first response signal to the first communication unit by the second communication unit,   broadcasting a request for a value to the second communication unit by means of the first communication unit,   upon receipt of the request, determining the value in the key, and sending the value to the first communication unit by means of the second communication unit, wherein the value is an indicator of how high the probability is that the object is to be used by an authorized user,   checking, using the first response signal, by the object, whether the key is a key associated with the object, and   comparing the value received from the second communication device with a defined threshold value by the object, wherein   the object is unlocked when the key is recognized as being associated with the object and the value is greater than or equal to the threshold value.